[January
30, 2014]If you are caring for someone with the
flu in your home, it is important to know how to keep yourself and
others in the home from getting sick as well. Keep the sick person
away from other people as much as possible, especially those who are
at high risk of complications from the flu.

You can do this in your home by creating a sick room. Keep the sick
person in a room away from common areas of the house. If you have
more than one bathroom, have the sick person use one and well people
use the other. Clean the sick room and bathroom daily with household
disinfectant.

The sick person should not have visitors other than
caregivers.

Take these additional steps to help protect yourself and others
in your home from getting the flu.

Everyone in the
house should clean their hands with soap and water frequently,
including after every contact with the sick person.

Remind the sick
person to cover coughs and sneezes and clean his or her hands
afterward.

Avoid being
face-to-face with the sick person. Anyone with an increased risk
of severe illness from the flu should not care for the sick
person.

Hold small
children who are sick with their chin on your shoulder so that
they will not cough in your face.

Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down
with a household disinfectant.

The hours for vaccines at the Logan County Department of Public
Health, 109 Third St., are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. until
4 p.m. No appointment is required.

The cost of the seasonal flu shot is $27 for adults and children
with health insurance that covers vaccines, $23.75 for children
6 months through 18 years of age who have no health insurance or
health insurance that doesn't cover vaccines, and free to those with
a Medicaid or Medicare card.

For more information on the seasonal influenza vaccine, call the
health department at 217-735-2317.